Attorney General Laxalt Announces Guilty Plea of California Woman for Healthcare Insurance Scam

March 29, 2016

Las Vegas, NV – Nevada Attorney General Adam Paul Laxalt announced that Charlene Pangelinan Sippio, 42, of California, pleaded guilty to one count of multiple transactions involving fraud or deceit in the course of an enterprise or occupation, a category “B” felony, and one count of insurance fraud, a category “D” felony, for her role in a healthcare insurance scam. The fraudulent acts were committed from September 2011 through July 2012.

Sippio participated in a scheme to defraud customers of a personal training business by charging their health insurance companies for medical services that were never provided. She and three co-defendants operated a Las Vegas personal training business under the company names of Human Performance Enhancement and My Wellness Expert. They billed more than $800,000 and were paid over $100,000 before the insurance companies started denying claims.

“This complex scheme not only defrauded victims out of their hard-earned money, but Nevada’s taxpayers who are forced to pay through higher premiums,” said Laxalt. “My Office will work to protect the wallets of Nevadans by continuing to investigate and prosecute health insurance frauds like this one.”

Sippio is the third of four defendants to enter a guilty plea in this case. The trial for the remaining defendant is scheduled to begin later this year. He faces 64 felony charges for his role in the scheme.

Multiple transactions involving fraud or deceit in the course of an enterprise or occupation is punishable by up to 20 years of imprisonment and a fine of no more than $10,000. Insurance fraud is punishable by up to four years of imprisonment and a fine of no more than $5,000. The sentencing hearing for Sippio is scheduled for July 25, 2016, in the Eighth Judicial District Court.

This case was investigated by the Attorney General’s Insurance Fraud Unit and is being prosecuted by Deputy Attorneys General Michael C. Kovac and Behnaz Salimian.

The amended criminal Indictment for Charlene P. Sippio is attached. If you believe you have been a victim of a healthcare fraud, you may file a complaint with our Office here.